The Autistic Spectrum: A Guide for Parents and Professionals [Paperback]

'A basic text for all professionals working in the field as well as for parents.' - Judith Gould, The Centre for Social and Communication Disorders

Over 500,000 people of all ages in the UK have disorders in the autistic spectrum. About one-third also have varying degrees of learning difficulty. All have impairment of social interaction, communication and imagination - the world appears a bewildering and sometimes frightening place. Wing's acclaimed guide explains how people with autism experience the world and why they need an organized, structured environment. She suggests ways of improving communication, developing abilities and widening social interaction, and how to cope with stresses within the family.

This book is a basic introduction to the field of autistic spectrum disorders. It is primarily aimed at parents who have learnt that their son or daughter has an autistic condition but it would also be useful for professional workers who are beginning to work in this area. I hope that some people who know, or suspect, that they may have an autistic spectrum disorder would find it helpful.

The first part of the book describes in some detail the development from infancy and the pattern of skills and behaviour that can be seen in autistic disorders. Although there are many variations, autistic spectrum disorders have in common problems affecting socal interaction, communication and the develoment of imagination, associated with a narrow and repetitive pattern of interests and activities. I have described in some detail the many different forms that these problems can take. In the second part of the book, I have suggested ways of helping children and adults with autistic spectrum disorders cope with everyday life.

Being both a parent of a grown-up daughter with typical autism and a professional working in the field, I feel I have the advantage of seeing both points of view. I have tried to write in plain English without jargon and to tell it like it is.

I qualified medicine in 1952 and then trained in psychiatry. I first worked as a clinician and then in research. Because of the experience of having a daughter with typical autism I became involved with research in developmental disorders, especially autistic spectrum disorders. During this time, I joined with a group of other parents. Together, we became founder members of the National Autistic Society. After retiring from full time work 12 years ago, I became consultant to the National Autistic Society’s Centre for Social and Communication Disorders. I still work there part time, being mainly involved with training professional workers in understanding and diagnosing autistic spectrum disorders but I also see some children and adults with their families for diagnosis and assessment. My experiences as a parent, a clinician, a research worker, a member of the National Autistic Society and my local Sussex Autistic Society, and the many opportunities for exchanging ideas with other parents have been invaluable in helping me to write this book.